October 3, 2008
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Frugal Friday – Godly Priorities
Continued from yesterday’s post….
So.. how do I tie menopause in with frugality???? Big jump, huh!!!
Actually, it’s a perfect fit!
This is what I’ve been chewing on the past few days…
Yesterday I wrote about Katherine in Stepping Heavenward (book link in previous post) and how she had goaded her nerves into a frenzy by overloading herself with work. I’m guilty of doing the exact same thing. I’m a worker. I like to work. I thrive on working. BUT… I’m beginning to see that as I age (51 yo this year) my body and brain are wearing out and I’m not going to be able to keep the pace that I did when I was younger unless I want to compromise my relationships.
My body is still able to keep up a pretty good pace but emotionally I end up crashing and burning if I’m not careful.
So, how does this tie in with frugality?
IF I set unreasonable goals for myself in the area of saving money which in turn places me in a position for temptation because I have taxed my nerves and I then turn around and snap at my husband or I’m cranky with my children then what have I really accomplished? Is God pleased that I saved money if I end up sinning in another area? It’s kind of along the lines of 1 Cor. 13. If I do wonderful works and deeds yet have not love then of what use am I?
Another thread to this whole line of thought is to evaluate exactly HOW I am spending my time to determine what is of greater worth. Comparing the different chores we do to save money to see which one is the best use of time is of great value. Large businesses make this a common habit and I’m seeing that it’s a wise endeavor. There is no end to the amount of activities we can do to save money. Which ones will be of greater value and save us more money in the long run? I want to be careful to not spend an hour on a project that will only save me a few cents if I can spend that same amount of time and save five dollars. My time is of value.
So, my frugal tip for the day is to not wear yourself out in planning too many money saving projects in one day if your children and husband are going to end up suffering in the long run. Pray and ask the Lord to give you wisdom in this area. Seek FIRST His kingdom and His righteousness and God will provide what we have need of.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matt 6:33
ESV
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Cor 13:1-3 ESV
You can find more frugal tips at Biblical Womanhood.
Comments (10)
I definitely understand the overtaxing yourself. Sometimes our own demands far outway those our loved ones impose. I am trying to put even the little things before God. You have been a great encouarger. Thanks.
Thanks!
Very true! Thanks for the reminder!
Stepping Heavenward is one of my top three favorite books! I love it and wish I would have read it when I was younger. Are you by any chance going to the True Woman’ conference on Oct. 9th?
@Marmee_Ann - Oh, how I wish I could go to the True Woman’s conference but it’s too far away. I hope they have it on the west coast some year. Are you going?
So what are your other two favorite books? I have a small stack waiting for me to work through. I’m reading Stepping Heavenward, Heaven without Her and ProBlogger right now.. depending on my mood!
I just read back over your last post, as well as this one. That is one of my all-time favorite books! I’ve read that book perhaps a dozen times or so. (I began reading it as a teen.) There are so many nuggets of truth, encouragement, teaching, & blessing to be found in it. I so agree with your “frugality tip” for the day, too. Our time is valuable, and so often we make the mistake of thinking that money is more valuable than our time. Kudos to you for your wise advice. Have a blessed Lord’s Day. ~ Carolyn
I enjoy your posts alot even though I rarely comment. We don’t have internet at home anymore so I only read xanga once a week… on Monday. Because my time is so limited, I end up not commenting for the most part but I do want to say I feel your posts have alot of “meat” in them and they’ve encouraged me much. Thanks.
So that’s my problem I hit 50 in May and I feel worn out. I will have to find a copy of the book you talked about. Where would the best place be to get a copy???? Dawn
@militarymomof2 - You can order it directly from the link I put in the article. Let me know how you like it. I’ve nearly finished reading it for the upteenth time. Love it!
I am not sure how I hurt my arm and shoulder. But I think I pulled a muscle. Maybe lifting one of the grandkids. Some times things don’t start hurting till a few days later. I am having a hard time sleeping well at night because I am not eating a lot. I am trying to lose some weight. It is always something Huh.
Oh well it is just my earth suit. Looking forward to that new glorified body if heaven!
It was when I hit 55 that every thing stated down hill. Menapause was from 45 to 55 for me. 10 rys. I learned though, what set off the hotflashes. For me I had to give up coffee and chocolet and cut down on the sweets and large meals. I make it through those yrs and It was not to bad for me. Some women have it real bad and need to take something. I worked hard in those yrs but it was 55 that I needed to slow down some. And now I don’t have enough to keep me as busy as I would like. So now I am starting to loose muscle. Not good. So need to excercise more and it gets harded to do the older I get.Does this make any sence? I am tired tonight. Guess I will go to bed.
God bless. Sharon